The art of noise

A point bourne out when the Stig takes the wheel at the TG test track. There we are surrounded on all sides by barren airfield for at least 200 metres, and as I turn 360 degrees, there he is, a foot behind me. As if he's beamed down from planet Helmet. Not so much a keen driver as completely psychotic, the Stig pounds the Mugen around and around until it runs out of petrol, then abandons the car with the keys in it and the door open. As he walks past on the way to God-knows-where, he gives me a thumbs-up. At least that's what it looked like. If you squint.

It's a delight, this Concept. Stupidly noisy, not as fast as a Focus RS, a bit on the tinselly side, if we're getting personal. But when you get down to it, this is a car for people who love driving, rather than just going fast. And the world is a better place for it. Just pray that Mugen takes heart and gets us more stuff ASA-bloody-P.